Power, voice and rights: a turning point for gender equality in Asia and the Pacific

In every country across Asia and the Pacific, pervasive gender inequality remains a barrier to progress, justice and social stability, and deprives the region of a significant source of human potential. Inequality persists despite robust growth and progress, and cuts even deeper for poorer or otherwise excluded groups. This report therefore suggests that it is time to catalyze change by focusing on institutions in three arenas - economics, politics and the law. Indeed, deliberate public policy choices, combined with attitudes and assessments that favour social justice can foster progress towards gender equality.